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The scent of freshly brewed Stumptown coffee wafts through the air in the two-story house that hosts North Star Coffeehouse as visitors challenge one another to chess tournaments, read a novel by the warm fire, or translate Faulkner into pig Latin. Once equipped with a brewed beverage and a tasty, sugary pastry from La Provence Bakery, patrons can explore the North Star confines, decorated in a postmodern-meets-vintage theme by Vizwerks, before settling into a cozy plush chair to browse the free WiFi.

For years, food was the only connection Mohamed Yousef had to his home country of Ethiopia. He fled during the civil wars of the 1980s, landing in a Sudanese refugee camp before moving to Cairo on a UN scholarship. It was there he met and married his wife, Khadija, who stayed behind to work as a chef when Mohamed relocated to the United States to pursue a career in business. Once he had enough money to send for Khadija, they decided to combine their business and culinary talents by setting up a food stand at Portland's Saturday Market in 1994.
Horn of Africa's food was a hit?so much so, in fact, that by 2007 Mohamed and Khadija opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The Zagat-rated spot is beloved by locals, who rave that the cuisine "will change your life." The couple draws inspiration from Ethiopian, Somalian, Djiboutian, and Middle Eastern flavors, serving a menu that includes everything from wild salmon marinated in Zanzibar spices to flax-seed stew with seasonal vegetables. Multiple tastes can be combined into platters, complete with bideena flatbread to scoop up savory bites.

BLT, club, veggie, and more...Subway serves sandwiches in Portland's Arbor Lodge neighborhood.
Food allergies can be a bite, but Subway is showing that all food has the possibility of becoming great dishes.
If you're hoping to make a smashing impression at your next soiree, you can also have Subway cater for you.
For those in a hurry, the restaurant lets you take your meal or snack to go.
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Chow down for less at Subway, where a meal almost always costs under $15.
You can stop by at almost any time, since Subway offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Hankering for a side of fries? Try the grub at Florida Room, a tasty restaurant serving American-style fare.
The menu at Florida Room does not include any low-fat options, so come ready to indulge.
The bar at Florida Room is fully stocked, so pair your meal with a glass of wine or beer.
Make those early evening hours happy ones and swing by for some discounted food and drink deals after work.
Florida Room offers a free wifi hot spot — perfect for surfing the web or getting a little work done.
Summer meals will taste even better when you enjoy them on Florida Room's gorgeous patio.
Interested in eating out over the weekend? Keep in mind that the restaurant gets swamped on Fridays and Saturdays, and service may take longer than expected.
If time is of the essence, Florida Room's take-out option may be a better fit.
Diners that drive to dinner will find street parking readily available at Florida Room's N Killingsworth St address.
Prices at Florida Room are a bargain (usually less than $15 for a meal), so you'll have plenty of cash left over to treat a friend (or two).
Head on over to Florida Room first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening — Florida Room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

To experience the unique culinary flavors of Africa, start with the homespun fare at Enat Kitchen in Portland.
Dieters beware — Enat Kitchen does not offer low-fat cuisine.
Grab the kids when you head to Enat Kitchen — its family-oriented menu and ambience all perfect for the whole clan.
For comfortable outdoor service, Enat Kitchen sets up a seasonal patio.
You won't feel cramped at Enat Kitchen, even with a large party — the restaurant is perfect for large groups.
Enat Kitchen welcomes laid-back diners, so there's no pressure to throw on heels or a tie.
Or, take your grub to-go.
Catering is also available if you'd like serve Enat Kitchen's tasty dishes at your next party.
Drivers can find a space for their wheels on the street when dining at the restaurant's N Killingsworth St business.
Chow down for less at Enat Kitchen, where a meal almost always costs under $15.
All major credit cards are accepted.

Craving finger food? Head to Chapel Pub and chow down on classic pub fare.
The menu doesn't include any low-fat items, so set aside some extra calories for your visit.
Pick your poison and toast your evening — drinks are also served here.
Parents appreciate Chapel Pub's kid-friendly attitude, and little ones are often seen dining out with the adults.
Unwind on a budget, and enjoy happy hour's low-cost beers and simple eats.
Surf the web from your tablet or laptop on Chapel Pub's complimentary wifi.
Enjoy the cool summer breezes on Chapel Pub's seasonally available outdoor seating.
For those big group gatherings, Chapel Pub provides plenty of space to have a good time.
For the tastes of Chapel Pub from the comfort of your next party, the restaurant also offers catering services.
Always five minutes behind schedule? Pick up your food to go instead.
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Frugal foodies will especially love the prices at Chapel Pub, with a meal typically hovering under the $15 mark.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but it's the dinner menu that really draws the crowds.